A Briefing by the Former Press Secretary (Ari's response to Krugman)

[Emboldened Chimp]

To the Editor:

In "Lifting the Shroud" (column, March 23), Paul Krugman alleges that at my White House press briefing on Sept. 26, 2001, I "ominously warned" Americans to "watch what they say, watch what they do." He accuses me of telling citizens "to accept the administration's version of events, not ask awkward questions."

At that briefing two weeks after Sept. 11, I was asked about a racist comment made by a Republican congressman from Louisiana who said that if he saw a Sikh-American with a towel wrapped around his head, he would tell the Sikh to get out of his state.

I said, "It's important for all Americans to remember the traditions of our country that make us so strong and so free, our tolerance and openness and acceptance." The president, I said, was disturbed by Representative John Cooksey's remarks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/24/opinion/L24KRUG.html

This is a sad, sad letter to the editor. Ari says nothing to refute anything Krugman said about the * administration. He lamely tries to defend his chilling comments of 9/26/01 by claiming "openess" and "acceptance". This poor, pathetic attempt to swipe back at Mr Krugman is typical of a Bushie, but not of Ari. The poor boy seems to be getting rusty.

[Tempest]

1. Ari the Liar is back!

http://eserver.org/bs/63/KasraviMohamed.html

The day after Maher's comment White House spokesman Ari Fleisher lamented, "There are reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they do, and this is not a time for remarks like that; there never is." Fleisher later implied that Maher and his program were just as reprehensible as the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center.

[DoctorMyEyes]

2. Do they think we're all stupid?

That we have no memories? That they don't store their own transcripts on the white house site?

MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I've asked that question, and the answer that I've gotten directly from DOD is no, there has been no consideration of that.

Q As Commander-In-Chief, what was the President's reaction to television's Bill Maher, in his announcement that members of our Armed Forces who deal with missiles are cowards, while the armed terrorists who killed 6,000 unarmed are not cowards, for which Maher was briefly moved off a Washington television station?

MR. FLEISCHER: I have not discussed it with the President, one. I have --

Q Surely, as a --

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm getting there.

Q Surely as Commander, he was enraged at that, wasn't he?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm getting there, Les.

Q Okay.

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm aware of the press reports about what he said. I have not seen the actual transcript of the show itself. But assuming the press reports are right, it's a terrible thing to say, and it unfortunate. And that's why -- there was an earlier question about has the President said anything to people in his own party -- they're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do. This is not a time for remarks like that; there never is.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010926-5.html

And "Les" is that crazy bastard from Talon.

[Skittles]

3. they think we are as stupid as freepers

a common mistake borne of arrogance